A major part of Schiermonnikoog is nature reserve. The Dutch government has formulated goals for the preservation of this nature. Achieving these goals is threatened by the consequences of the large influx of nitrogen compounds and climate change, among others. Nitrogen compounds function as fertilizer: grass and shrubs grow faster and faster, and the open dune landscape gets overgrown. Natuurmonumenten is responsible for the achievement of the nature goals and with these in mind makes use of grazing.
Action plan and agreements about the implementation
During spring 2025 the National Park and Natuurmonumenten devise an action plan (‘plan van aanpak’) for grazing on Schiermonnikoog during the coming years. To end up with a feasible and broadly supported grazing plan the National Park and Natuurmonumenten have employed an independent agency (SOMDERDELEN). The plan should be ready before the summer vacation of 2025. After that Natuurmonumenten will decide about the implementation of grazing with competent parties. On January 1, the new contractors can start the grazing of the dunes and salt marshes.
Framework and goals
The conservation framework is clear: the goals of Natura 2000 and the kaderrichtlijn Water (KRW). The province Fryslân and Rijkswaterstaat are responsible for these goals. Natuurmonumenten is the operator and makes sure that these goals are reached, partly through grazing. A complicating factor is that sometimes the goals of Natura 2000 and the KRW are conflicting. And the funding of the management is done in accordance with a grant scheme that has another, slightly different focus when it comes to nature goals.
Current grazing
On Schiermonnikoog a lot of grazing is going on already. The farmers (united in Boerenbelang) have an agreement with Natuurmonumenten that they may let their young cattle graze on the salt marsh. And FREE Nature deploys Sayaguesa cattle and Exmoor ponies in het dunes near the bunker Wassermann, also commissioned by Natuurmonumenten. In other parts of the island Soay sheep, moor sheep, goats and horses are grazing. Boerenbelang and FREE Nature have been engaged in the talks about the new grazing plan from the beginning.
What else is happening
The regional water authority (Wetterskip) and Vitens are still working on a water plan for the island. Plans for a more sustainable and circular agriculture are also being made. Natuurmonumenten considers, besides grazing, other conservation methods, like mowing. Of course, recreation and other forms of use of the island, and preservation of the open character and accessibility of the landscape are being considered as well.
Participation and communication
The National Park and Natuurmonumenten take care of the communication and the engagement of stakeholders and interested parties. Every Monday (except for school holidays) everyone is welcome in information centre Het Baken between 11 and 12 p.m., to ask their questions to Tom den Boer, process supervisor from SOMDERDELEN). Actual information about the grazing plan is available on the website www.schitterendschiermonnikoog.nl.
If you have any questions, please contact us via natuurmonumenten@schiermonnikoog.nl and/or info@np-schiermonnikoog.nl